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Toronto, Canada Jeffrey S. Ram, Editor May 30, 2023
Image: Stamp of India - 1972 - Colnect 372278 - Marchers with Flag - Parliament.jpeg Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Many Indians are concerned about the survival of democracy and federalism in the nation. Modi and his followers are guided by the Hindutva ideology of their parent organization, Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS). They are trying to transform India into a one-party controlled majoritarian Hindu State. They believe that non-Hindus are second-class citizens and those Hindus who criticize or oppose the government are anti-national. Therefore, religious minorities like Muslims and Christians and dissent by fellow Hindus should be crushed by iron hands. Most Indians fear Modi’s actions to forcibly dismantle the Indian Republic and install a Nazi-style Hindu supremacist government will lead to political upheaval and India’s break up unless he is stopped.
THE HINDUTVA IDEOLOGY OF THE RSS
RSS was founded in 1925 after the Hindu-Muslim riots in northern India to consolidate and militarize Hindus. M. S. Golwalkar became chief of RSS in 1940 and held the position till his death in 1973. Golwalkar admired Mussolini’s organization of fascist paramilitary forces and Hitler’s method of establishing the supremacy of the Aryan race in Germany.
He considered Indian Muslims and Christians ‘internal threats’ and viewed Muslims and Christians as foreigners. Golwalkar laid the foundation of fascist ideology and militant methods to organize Hindus for Hindu hegemony and to suppress all dissent, opposition, and religious minorities.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the political arm of RSS. Modi and other BJP leaders are executing the RSS strategy to install a one-party dictatorship in the name of Hindu Nationalism and the Hindu Nation. On the other hand, the Hindu critics of Hindutva feel that with an 80% Hindu population, India is a Hindu nation already. Therefore, they oppose unconstitutional actions by Modi, BJP, and RSS that divide and weaken India.
EROSION OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY
Indeed, attacks on democracy by misusing political power started a few decades ago under the rule of Congress and other parties. With the election of Narendra Modi as prime minister in 2014, however, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s central and state governments have focused on a one-point program of establishing a fascist regime. Modi’s goal is to make ‘Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan’ a reality as soon as possible.
With 22 separate official languages, 28 states, 8 Union territories, and 20% population of non-Hindus, it is not possible to achieve this goal through democratic means. So, Modi is destroying parliamentary democracy by subverting democratic institutions like parliament and cabinet, suppressing opposition leaders, dissent, media, freedoms, and the rule of law.
Many Indians challenge Modi’s Hindutva nationalist war for totalitarian control. They believe it will destroy the federal government and stir a national conflict between the supporters and opponents of the Hindu fascist state.
MODI’S CONTROL OF PARLIAMENT
India is practically ruled by two people- the prime minister and his home minister. Prime Minister Modi has misused BJP’s brute majority to reduce parliament to a rubber stamp and the opposition members to the position of spectators.
For example, on March 23, 2023, the Lok Sabha passed the Union budget for 2023-24 in only 12 minutes, with no debate and discussion. Former finance minister P. Chidambaram, a Congress Party leader, observed that “the worst message from a parliamentary democracy is to approve a Budget without discussion.”
On May 11, 2023, the Supreme Court of India passed an order that gave executive power in services matters to the Delhi government. On May 19, Modi’s union government established National Capital Service Authority (NCSA) by an ordinance and took back control of services.
Modi’s authoritarian treatment of non-BJP-ruled states has made their chief ministers feel that they are under siege. The restless state leaders are sharing their concerns and making plans to check Modi’s agenda of majoritarian dictatorship.
MODI AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE UNDERMINING THE CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
Modi is misusing state agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the National Investigations Agency (NIA), the Intelligence Bureau, and the Income Tax Department to hound opponents. Many union and state laws, such as Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Anti-Cow Slaughter laws, Anti-Love Jehad laws, Anti Conversion Acts, and FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act), are being used as weapons not only to persecute Muslims and Christians but also to suppress the fellow Hindus who oppose BJP. Since Modi came to power in 2014, his fascist-style government has been terrorizing even journalists, cartoonists, historians, students, actors, and directors, with the large-scale use of the draconic no-bail UAPA.
According to the Indian Home Ministry’s data, 326 cases were started under the charge of sedition between 2014 and 2019. However, out of the total cases, chargesheets were filed in 141 cases, but only six accused were found guilty during this period.
Interrogations for 8 to 12 hours for many days by state agencies, and imprisonment without bail and trial for many months and years, are Modi’s torture and harassment methods. Victims of such traumatic experiences include former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi, Delhi state’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former union finance minister and Congress leader P Subramaniam, former Delhi cabinet minister Satyendar Jain, former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, and many other leaders of rival political parties.
Another example of Modi’s repression is the brutal suppression of professional female wrestlers for demanding action against serious allegations of sexual harassment.
The targeted and other apprehensive political leaders and social activists criticize and oppose Modi’s autocratic governance. They are convinced Modi’s tyranny is diminishing Indian democracy every day.
INDIANS SHOULD STRIVE TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY AND KEEP INDIA UNITED
About 60% of Indians believe Modi’s absolutist BJP government should be stopped from destroying the federal government and creating a national civil conflict. According to the Election Commission of India, there are 6 national parties, 54 state parties, and 2,597 unrecognized political parties. The split in opposition votes helps BJP to triumph electorally.
Indian defenders of democracy, inclusive and united India should campaign to convince electors to vote strategically. They should choose the opposition party that is in the best position to defeat BJP. Hopefully, democracy in India will be restored with a peaceful federal election and a change of power in 2024.
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